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MINNEAPOLIS – Adrian Peterson ran onto the field at TCF Bank Stadium and past a line of cheerleaders as smoke filled the air.

How would the fans in Minnesota react to him following his 2014 indictment on child injury charges? This was his first game back on a field in Minnesota. As he was announced as a starter before the Vikings played the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the fans in Minnesota gave him a standing ovation.

So, that was settled.

And then, here came the second question: How would the Vikings use him? Would he get the ball more than he did in Week 1 at San Francisco?

The Vikings and the Lions failed to use their superstars in their opening games. Peterson had carried the ball only 10 times for 31 yards in Week 1 at San Francisco, and Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson had just two catches for 39 yards on four targets against San Diego.

"Last week, it hurt us personally," Peterson said. "It hurt us to the core."

On Sunday, the Vikings gave the ball to Peterson early and often. He carried the ball seven times on their first possession, and it was like watching him wake up, shaking off the rust and getting comfortable in this offense. He ran for 45 yards on the first drive as the Vikings took a quick 7-0 lead.

Peterson was back, breaking tackles and bursting free. And his presence changed everything. The Lions started to overpursue against him, so the Vikings countered with a reverse to Jarius Wright, who broke free on a 29-yard run to the Lions' 6.

"Yes, we could have had a better tackling day," Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis said.

On a fourth-and-1 from the Lions' 1, the Vikings lined up in an I-formation, and everybody in the stadium thought it would go to Peterson. Bridgewater faked to Peterson, and the defense collapsed on him. Bridgewater kept the ball, rolled to his left and scored with ease. The play was so effective that his blocker didn't have anybody to block. Touchdown. Vikings 14, Lions 0.

And then, there was the flick. Kyle Van Noy exploded through the line and crashed into Peterson and started to sack Bridgewater. As Bridgewater was falling, he flicked the ball to Peterson, who scampered for 49 yards.

OK. There was a bit of luck involved in that play, but playmakers make plays, and Peterson finished with 134 yards rushing and 58 yards receiving.

"Peterson got a few too many yards," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "He is a great back."

Meanwhile, with 5:25 left in the first quarter, Calvin Johnson still didn't have a touch. Crickets, crickets.

But that in large part was because of Peterson's effectiveness on the ground; it changed everything for the Lions. The Lions were down early and forced to throw 53 times, trying to come back. Johnson was targeted 17 times and caught 10 passes, including a touchdown. But his longest catch was 18 yards. The Lions couldn't find a way to get him an explosive play downfield.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) scores a touchdown against the Detroit Lions as Brandon Fusco (63) celebrates in the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Jim Mone, AP

Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks for the hand off against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium on September 20, 2015 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Adam Bettcher, Getty Images

Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Gerald Hodges (50) celebrates a stop against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) Ann Heisenfelt

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches from the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) Ann Heisenfelt

Joique Bell #35 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against Andrew Sendejo #34 and Gerald Hodges #50 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of the game on September 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Hannah Foslien, Getty Images

Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of the game on September 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hannah Foslien, Getty Images

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Justin Trattou (94) returns an interception as Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) tries to bring him down in the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Ann Heisenfelt, AP

Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings scrambles with the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of the game on September 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Hannah Foslien, Getty Images

Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings avoids a tackle by Ezekiel Ansah #94 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of the game on September 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Hannah Foslien, Getty Images

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) watches his fumble into the end zone be recovered by the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) Ann Heisenfelt

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (L) takes a short pass and runs for 49 yards before being tackled by Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (C) and Detroit Lions corner back Darius Slay in the first half of the NFL American football game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 20 September, 2015. EPA/CRAIG LASSIG CRAIG LASSIG, EPA

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (L) throws under pressure from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison in the first half of the NFL American football game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, 20 September, 2015. EPA/CRAIG LASSIG CRAIG LASSIG, EPA

Marcus Sherels #35 of the Minnesota Vikings avoids a tackle by Corey Fuller #10 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of the game on September 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hannah Foslien, Getty Images

Kyle Van Noy #53 of the Detroit Lions puts pressure on Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium on September 20, 2015 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bridgewater got the ball to Adrian Peterson for a gain. Adam Bettcher, Getty Images

Minnesota Vikings' Jarius Wright (17) runs with the ball for a 29-yard gain during the first quarter on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The play was reviewed and ruled not a touchdown. Carlos Gonzalez, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates after running the ball into the end zone during the first quarter on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The play was reviewed and ruled not a touchdown. Carlos Gonzalez, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson charges the goal line but drops the ball on the play during the third quarter on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. A penalty nullified the play. Carlos Gonzalez, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Detroit Lions wide receiver Lance Moore (16) rushes with the ball after making a catch past Minnesota Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (24) for a first down in the first half at TCF Bank Stadium. Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports